Hope Pakistan changes attitude towards India: Rajnath Singh
Jammu, Sep 17 : Launching two smart fencing pilot projects along the international border with Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday expressed the hope that there will be a change in the attitude of the new government in Islamabad towards India.
"I don't think that there will be any change in Pakistan's nature. I pray to God that there would be change. I hope the change will be better than before," he told reporters who asked him whether he expected a change in the attitude with the formation of a new government under Imran Khan.
He was talking to the media at the BSF headquarters in Paloura after launching two "smart" border fencing pilot projects under the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) programme.
"Pakistan has its own nature and we cannot change it. What Pakistan can do (to change its nature), it will have to do itself. Pakistan has to understand how to behave with neighbours," Singh said.
He said India has taken maximum attempts to maintain relations with Pakistan as a neighbour.
"Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi went Pakistan by breaking protocol only to maintain better relation. If Pakistan is not trying to understand despite that approach, then what can be done."
Launching the two pilot CIBMS projects, each covering a 5.5 km stretch along the International Border in Jammu, a first-of-a-kind high-tech surveillance system, Singh said the new fencing will be erected in vulnerable areas along the 2,026 km border after monitoring of its proper functioning.
He said technology will help in minimising the casualties of soldiers guarding border as well as help them to de-stress due to long hours in border duties.
"It will also help in reducing the dependency on physical patrolling," said the Minister, adding technology will create an invisible electronic barrier on land, water and even in air and underground, helping the Border Security Force (BSF) to detect and foil infiltration bids in the most difficult terrains.
"When I visited Israel, I saw this system there and immediately after that we started work on this project. Based on the feedback, the system will be foolproof. I have launched two such pilot projects here. We will launch a similar 60 km long pilot project in Assam," he said.
Singh said there were several challenges which the nation faced.
"Whether it is the Naxal violence or terrorism in J&K, our security forces are dealing with this effectively. The Army, CRPF and state police are working here in absolute coordination."
Asked about the boycott of municipal and panchayat polls by the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, he said: "I appeal to these parties to take part in these elections because this is the only way to establish direct contact with the people."
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
